Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Overview
We are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 7, 2020 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. We intend to effectuate our business combination using cash from the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.
We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete a business combination will be successful.
Recent Developments
On December 21, 2021, we entered into a Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Embraer S.A., a Brazilian corporation (
sociedade anônima
) (“Embraer”), Embraer Aircraft Holding Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Embraer (“EAH”), and EVE UAM, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EAH (“Eve”).
In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, on December 21, 2021, we entered into separate subscription agreements (collectively, the “Subscription Agreements”) with a number of investors (each, a “Subscriber” and collectively, the “Subscribers”), pursuant to which the Subscribers agreed to purchase, and we agreed to sell to the Subscribers, an aggregate of 30,500,000 shares of our common stock, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $305,000,000, in a private placement. On December 24, 2021, we entered into an additional Subscription Agreement with an additional investor to purchase 1,000,000 shares of our common stock, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000. As a result, as of December 24, 2021, we have agreed to sell an aggregate of 31,500,000 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $315,000,000.
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On December 21, 2021, concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, we entered into warrant agreements with the Strategic Investors (the “Strategic Warrant Agreements”), pursuant to which, subject to the consummation of the business combination, the Company has agreed to issue to the Strategic Investors new warrants to acquire an aggregate of (i) 14,150,000 shares of common stock, each with an exercise price of $0.01 per share (the “Penny Warrants”), which warrants will be issued at the closing of our initial business combination (the “Closing”) or in connection with the achievement of certain UAM Business milestones following the Closing, (ii) 12,000,000 shares of common stock, each with an exercise price of $15.00 per share, which warrants will be issued at the Closing, and (iii) 5,000,000 shares of common stock each with an exercise price of $11.50 per share, which warrants will be issued at the Closing. In general, each warrant is exercisable for a period of five or ten years following its issuance or first permitted exercise date. The Strategic Warrant Agreements provide for certain registration rights with respect to the resale of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants which are substantially similar to the registration rights provided under the Subscription Agreements. In addition, on December 21, 2021, we have entered into lock-up agreements with certain of the Strategic Investors, pursuant to which such Strategic Investors will be restricted from transferring certain of the new warrants issued at the Closing and the shares of our common stock issued upon the exercise of such new warrants until the date that is three or five years after date of the Closing.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations (other than searching for a business combination after our Initial Public Offering) nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities from inception through December 31, 2021 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the initial public offering, described below, and activities in connection with searching for a business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our business combination. We generate
non-operating
income in the form of interest income on investments held in the trust account. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had a net income of $14,521,803, which consists of a change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $20,599,500 and interest income on investments held in the trust account of $23,403, offset by general and administrative expenses of $6,101,100.
For the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we had a net loss of $16,662,667, which consisted of formation and operating costs of $353,539, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities of $15,457,500 and transaction costs allocated to warrant issuance of $854,301, offset by interest earned on investments held in trust account of $2,673.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On November 19, 2020, we consummated the initial public offering of 23,000,000 Units, which included the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 3,000,000 Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $230,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering, we consummated the sale of 9,650,000 private placement warrants at a price of $1.00 per private placement warrant in a private placement to our stockholders, generating gross proceeds of $9,650,000.
Following the initial public offering, the full exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the private placement warrants, a total of $232,300,000 was placed in the trust account. We incurred $13,143,093 in transaction costs, including $4,600,000 of underwriting fees, $8,050,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $493,093 of other offering costs.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $1,496,472. Net income of $14,521,803 was affected by changes in fair value of derivative liabilities of $20,599,500 and interest income on investments held in the trust account of $23,403. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $4,604,628 of cash for operating activities.
For the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, net cash used in operating activities was $310,096. Net loss of $16,662,667 was affected by transaction costs allocated to warrant issuance of $854,301, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities of $15,457,500 and interest income on investments held in the trust account of $2,673. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $43,443 of cash for operating activities.
At December 31, 2021, we had investments held in the trust account of $236,926,076. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, to complete our business combination. We may withdraw interest to pay taxes. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
At December 31, 2021, we had cash of $475,339 held outside of the trust account. We intend to use the funds held outside the trust account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.
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In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete a business combination, we may repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. In the event that a business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants.
On May 18, 2021, our Sponsor exercised its option to purchase 2,300,000 private placement warrants, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,300,000, in order to extend the time the Company will have to consummate an initial business combination by 6 months, to November 19, 2021. On November 16, 2021, our Sponsor exercised its option to purchase 2,300,000 private placement warrants, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,300,000, in order to extend the time the Company will have to consummate an initial business combination by 6 months, to May 21, 2022.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking
in-depth
due diligence and negotiating a business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our business combination. If we are unable to complete our business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. In addition, following our business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
On February 3, 2022, the Sponsor issued the New Promissory Note, pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000. The New Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2022 or (ii) the consummation of our initial business combination. The outstanding balance under the New Promissory Note is $0.
Going Concern
We have until May 19, 2022 to consummate a business combination. In addition, we will require additional funding if we are unable to consummate the currently contemplated initial business combination. We expect to consummate our initial business combination prior to May 19, 2022 (the “Liquidation Date”). If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination or raise additional capital, we may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily include or be limited to, curtailing operations, suspending the pursuit of a potential transaction and reducing overhead expenses. We cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be available to us on commercially acceptable terms or if at all. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern through the Liquidation Date if an initial business combination is not consummated. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Off-Balance
Sheet Financing Arrangements
We did not have any
off-balance
sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2021.
Contractual Obligations
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, secretarial and administrative services. We began incurring these fees on November 19, 2020 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of the business combination and our liquidation.
The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $8,050,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the event that we complete a business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
On May 6, 2021, we entered into an agreement with a vendor for financial due diligence services related to our initial business combination. The agreement has a contingent fee element whereby 50% of the fees incurred for the services rendered are contingent upon the consummation of the initial business combination. The amount of contingent fees incurred as of December 31, 2021, which would be become payable upon consummation of the initial business combination is $280,500.
On May 6, 2021, we entered into an agreement with a vendor for investment banking services related to our initial business combination. Specifically, the agreement relates to assisting in raising the funds as part of the PIPE Investment. The agreement calls for the vendor to receive a contingent fee equal to 4% of the gross proceeds of securities sold in the PIPE Investment.
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On May 6, 2021, we entered into an agreement with a vendor for advisory services related to our initial business combination. The agreement calls for the vendor to receive a contingent fee equal to $5,000,000. If following or in connection with the termination, abandonment or failure to occur of any proposed business combination during the term of the agreement or during the 12-month period following the effective date of termination of the agreement, we are entitled to receive a break-up, termination, “topping,” expense reimbursement, earnest money payment or similar fee or payment (each and together, “termination payments”), the vendor is then entitled to receive a contingent fee equal to 25% of the aggregate amount of those termination payments, payable upon our receipt of such amount.
On December 7, 2021, we entered into an agreement with a vendor for investment banking services related to our initial business combination. Specifically, the agreement relates to assisting in raising the funds as part of the PIPE Investment. The agreement calls for the vendor to receive a contingent fee equal to 2% of the gross proceeds of securities sold in the PIPE Investment.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption, if any, are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events.
All of the 23,000,000 shares of Class A common stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the business combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Accordingly, all of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional
paid-in
capital and accumulated deficit.
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. We have two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of stock. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We evaluate our financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and
re-valued
at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the Statement of Operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified on the balance sheet as current or
non-current
based on whether or not
net-cash
settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. We have determined the warrants and the forward contract for additional warrants are derivatives. As the financial instruments meet the definition of a derivative, the warrants and the forward contract for additional warrants are measured at fair value at issuance and at each reporting date in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements”, with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Operations in the period of change.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
2020-06,
Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic
470-20)
and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
815-40)
(“ASU
2020-06”)
to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU
2020-06
eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU
2020-06
amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the
if-converted
method for all convertible instruments. ASU
2020-06
is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU
2020-06
would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
This information appears following Item 15 of this Report and is included herein by reference.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules
13a-15
and
15d-15
under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2021. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules
13a-15(e)
and
15d-15(e)
under the Exchange Act) were effective.
We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all instances of fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Further, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that we have detected all our control deficiencies and instances of fraud, if any. The design of disclosure controls and procedures also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
As required by SEC rules and regulations implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect errors or misstatements in our consolidated financial statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2021. In making these assessments, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013).
This Annual Report on Form
10-K
does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to our status as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Directors and Executive Officers
Our officers and directors are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION
Steven H. Rosen 51 Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director
Kenneth C. Ricci 65 Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director
Michael A. Rossi 67 Chief Financial Officer and Director
John B. Veihmeyer 66 Director
Larry R. Flynn 70 Director
Patrick Shanahan 59 Director
Steven H. Rosen
, 51, has been our
Co-Chief
Executive Officer and a member of our Board since August 2020. Mr. Rosen has been
Co-Chief
Executive Officer of Resilience Capital Partners, a private equity firm, since 2001. At Resilience Capital Partners, Mr. Rosen is involved with all aspects of the firm’s operations, including developing and maintaining relationships with investors and investment intermediaries, and the firm’s strategic planning efforts. Mr. Rosen has been a director of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. since 2011, Crawford United Corporation since 2012 and AmFin Financial Corporation since 2018 and serves on the audit committees of these companies. With his experience in assisting underperforming businesses and his expertise in the dynamics of capital markets, credit markets and mergers and acquisitions, Mr. Rosen provides our board of directors insight in diversified areas, such as finance, strategic planning, operations and capital investment. Mr. Rosen graduated from the University of Maryland and received an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve. Mr. Rosen is a member of many professional organizations, including the Ohio Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and the Cleveland chapter of the Young Presidents Organization and as an inventor, Mr. Rosen has been granted six patents by The United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Kenneth C. Ricci
, 65, has been our
Co-Chief
Executive Officer and a member of our Board since August 2020. Mr. Ricci is a
40-year
aviation industry veteran who today is a Principal of Directional Aviation Capital which owns various aviation enterprises, including Flexjet, Sentient Jet, PrivateFly, Tuvoli, Nextant Aerospace, Stonebriar Commercial Finance, Reva Air Ambulance, Corporate Wings, Simcom and Constant Aviation. Mr. Ricci was honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 and has been named one the most influential people in aviation by Aviation International News. In 2005, Mr. Ricci led the restructuring of Mercury Air Centers, a $200 million company operating aircraft support facilities at 24 different airports and sold the company to Macquarie Infrastructure Trust (MIC) in 2007 in a deal valued at $615 million. In 2010, Mr. Ricci received the Harvard Business School’s Dively Entrepreneurship Award. In 2011, Mr. Ricci was the youngest recipient of the prestigious William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry. Mr. Ricci is the founder of Nextant Aerospace, the innovator of aircraft remanufacturing. In 2015, Mr. Ricci received the Aviation Week Laureate Award, a benchmark of industry excellence, recognizing his work and development at Nextant Aerospace. In 2016, Mr. Ricci received the “Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award” from the Living Legends of Aviation. In 2019, Mr. Ricci was inducted as a Living Legend of Aviation. The “Living Legends of Aviation” are admirable people of remarkable accomplishment in aviation, including entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record breakers, astronauts and pilots. Mr. Ricci began his aviation career as an Air Force ROTC cadet at the University of Notre Dame, he is an airline transport pilot with extensive international experience and was then-Governor William Clinton’s pilot when he ran for President in 1992. Mr. Ricci graduated from the University of Notre Dame and from the Cleveland Marshall School of Law, where he was named as their distinguished alumni of the year in 2016 and named to their Alumni Hall of fame in 2018. Mr. Ricci is a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Notre Dame and is also a member of the board of the Smithsonian. He serves on several corporate boards and was an aviation advisor to the Guggenheim Aircraft Opportunity Fund.
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Michael A. Rossi
, 67, has been our Chief Financial Officer and a member of our Board since November 2020. Mr. Rossi has been a principal in Directional Aviation Capital since 2007. Mr. Rossi joined Corporate Wings in 1984 and has been a leader in the development of innovative business strategies in the aviation industry. Mr. Rossi’s extensive experience touches on all areas of general aviation, including jet fractional ownership, jet card programs, fixed-based operations, maintenance facilities, management of aircraft and the buying and selling of corporate aircraft. Mr. Rossi has also been involved in the financing, purchases, mergers and divesting of all facets of general aviation. In 2005, Mr. Rossi served as the Chief Financial Officer of the restructured Mercury Air Centers, where he was instrumental in increasing EBITA by over 200% as a result of acquisitions and operating efficiencies. Mercury Air Centers’ 24 fixed-base operators were ultimately sold to Macquarie Infrastructure Trust in 2007 in a deal valued at $615 million. Currently, Mr. Rossi works with all Directional Aviation’s companies, providing guidance with capital, financing and operational needs and strategies. A graduate of John Carroll University, Mr. Rossi is a Certified Public Accountant.
John Veihmeyer
, 66, has been a member of our Board since November 2020. Mr. Veihmeyer retired as the global chairman of KPMG International in 2017. He previously held numerous leadership roles at KPMG, including chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP in the United States from 2010-2015, deputy U.S. chairman, global head of Risk Management and Regulatory, and managing partner of KPMG’s Washington, D.C. operations. During his career, Mr. Veihmeyer has advised many of the world’s leading companies on financial reporting, audit quality, risk management, and governance, and is recognized for his leadership on issues of diversity and inclusion, ethical leadership, creating high-performance cultures, and building and directing senior leadership teams. Mr. Veihmeyer currently serves on the board of directors of Ford Motor Co., and the boards of trustees of the University of Notre Dame, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, and Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C. He previously served on the boards of the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) from 2015-2019, Catalyst, the mission of which is to expand opportunities for women in business, and the Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP). Mr. Veihmeyer also previously served as a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Larry R. Flynn
, 70, has been a member of our Board since November 2020. Mr. Flynn is the former President of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a leading manufacturer of business jet aircraft. During his twenty year tenure with Gulfstream, spanning from 1995 to 2015, Mr. Flynn made significant contributions while working in a variety of other capacities, including President of Product Support and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. Prior to joining Gulfstream, Mr. Flynn gained over ten years of experience in managing aircraft service facilities through leadership roles at Stevens Aviation, Signature Flight Support, and AMR Combs. Mr. Flynn currently serves as an advisory board member of Business Aviation Advisor magazine and Duncan Aviation. He is also a Director on the Board of JLL HUT LLC. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and a Master’s degree in Manpower Management from the University of Kansas. In 2017 Mr. Flynn was the recipient of the William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award from the National Air Transportation Association for his extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry. In 2019 Mr. Flynn received the Living Legends of Aviation award honoring him for his achievements in the aerospace industry. Throughout his career Mr. Flynn gained significant expertise in all facets of business aviation including aircraft management, aircraft charter, product support, spare parts sales and distribution, MRO, worldwide sales and marketing, FBO management, acquisitions and mergers and FBO/MRO/OEM facility design.
Patrick M. Shanahan
,
59, has been a member of our Board since September 2021. Mr. Shanahan previously served as the 33rd Deputy Secretary of Defense. He served as Acting Secretary of Defense from January 1, 2019 to June 23, 2019. After joining the Department of Defense, Mr. Shanahan helped lead the development of several key Department of Defense policies and strategies, including the 2018 National Defense Strategy, 2018 Department of Defense Cyber Strategy, 2018 Cyber Posture Review, 2018 Nuclear Posture Review and 2019 Missile Defense Review. Mr. Shanahan was a champion of digital and technological advancement for the department, spearheading modernization in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (“AI”), cloud computing and command, control and communication. In June 2018, Mr. Shanahan established the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and published the Department of Defense’s AI Strategy. Additionally, Mr. Shanahan launched two National Mission Initiatives: predictive maintenance and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Mr. Shanahan previously served as the Senior Vice President, Supply Chain & Operations at The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) (“Boeing”). A Washington state native, Mr. Shanahan joined Boeing in 1986 and spent over three decades with the company. He previously worked as senior vice president of Commercial Airplane Programs, managing profit and loss for the 737, 747, 767, 777 and 787 programs and the operations at Boeing’s principal manufacturing sites; as vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner, leading the program during a critical development period; as vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, overseeing the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, Airborne Laser and Advanced Tactical Laser; and as vice president and general manager of Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, overseeing the Apache, Chinook and Osprey. Mr. Shanahan is a National Academy of Engineering Member, Royal Aeronautical Society Fellow, Society of Manufacturing Engineers Fellow and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Associate Fellow. He served as a regent at the University of Washington for over five years. Mr. Shanahan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington and two advanced degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; including a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Due to his extensive career in the aircraft industry, Mr. Shanahan is an invaluable asset to our Board.
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Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors consists of six members and is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year, and with each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Mr. Rossi and Mr. Veihmeyer, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Mr. Ricci and Mr. Flynn, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Mr. Rosen and Mr. Shanahan, will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint officers as it deems appropriate pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has established two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Subject
to phase-in rules
and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq and
Rule 10A-3 of
the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Subject
to phase-in rules
and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq require that the compensation committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors.
Audit Committee
Our board of directors has established an audit committee of the board of directors. Mr. Veihmeyer, Mr. Flynn and Mr. Shanahan serve as members of our audit committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Mr. Veihmeyer, Mr. Flynn and Mr. Shanahan are independent. Mr. Veihmeyer serves as the chairman of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Veihmeyer qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
• appointing or replacing the independent registered public accounting firm;
Compensation Committee
Our board of directors has established a compensation committee of our board of directors. The members of our compensation committee are Mr. Shanahan and Mr. Flynn. Mr. Shanahan serves as the chairman of the compensation committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have a compensation committee comprised entirely of independent directors. Mr. Shanahan and Mr. Flynn are independent.
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We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
• reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Director Nominations
We do not have a standing nominating committee though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(2) of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by our board of directors. Our board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors participating in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Mr. Flynn and Mr. Shanahan. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A) of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of stockholders). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to our board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, our board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serves, and in the past year has not served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our directors, executive officers and employees that complies with the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq. The Code of Ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.
We have previously filed copies of our form of Code of Ethics, our form of Audit Committee Charter and our form of Compensation Committee Charter as exhibits to our registration statement in connection with our initial public offering. You may review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request to us in writing at 25101 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 350, Cleveland, Ohio 44122 or by telephone at
(216) 292-0200.
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Conflicts of Interest
Members of our management team do not have any obligation to present us with any opportunity for a potential business combination of which they become aware, unless presented to such member solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Our officers and directors have agreed not to participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of any other special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, until we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination or we have failed to complete our initial business combination within the completion window. Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
The conflicts described above may not be resolved in our favor.
In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
• the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;
• the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and
Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. Furthermore, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
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Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our executive officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations:
Individual Entity Entity’s Business Affiliation
AmFin Financial Corporation Provision of financial services Director
All-American Hose, LLC Manufacture of fire hose products Director
Kenneth C. Ricci Directional Aviation Capital Investment Principal
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Stonebriar Finance Holdings LLC Equipment leasing Director and indirect investor
Michael A. Rossi Directional Aviation Capital Investment Principal
Accordingly, if any of the above executive officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for any of the above entities to which he or she has current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our Sponsor, our officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA, or from an independent accounting firm, that such an initial business combination is fair to the Company from a financial point of view.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, pursuant to the letter agreement, our Sponsor, our officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares or private placement shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after the offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us or our stockholders for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived an improper personal benefit from their actions as directors.
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We have entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors. Except with respect to any public shares they may acquire (in the event we do not consummate an initial business combination), our officers and directors have agreed to waive (and any other persons who may become an officer or director prior to the initial business combination will also be required to waive) any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and not to seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever, including with respect to such indemnification.
These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
None of our executive officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date that our securities were first listed on Nasdaq through the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination and our liquidation, we will pay our Sponsor for office space, secretarial and administrative services provided to members of our management team $10,000 per month. We intend to reimburse each of our independent director nominees and our senior advisor for up to 10 hours of personal private air travel for an aggregate amount of up to $300,000 for service on our board of directors and as our senior advisor. In addition, our Sponsor, our executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for
any out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee reviews on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our Sponsor and our executive officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made from (i) funds held outside the trust account or (ii) interest earned on the trust account and released to us to pay our taxes. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for
their out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the Company to our Sponsor, officers, directors or senior advisor, or any affiliate of our Sponsor or officers, prior to completion of our initial business combination.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining executive officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our executive officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our executive officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business, but we do not believe that such arrangements will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 14, 2022 by:
• each of our executive officers and directors; and
• all our executive officers and directors as a group.
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Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the private placement warrants as these warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this
Form 10-K.
The beneficial ownership of our common stock is based on 28,750,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of February 14, 2022, consisting of 23,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock.
Directors, Executive Officers and Founders
Michael A. Rossi(3) — —
Patrick M. Shanahan(3) 50,000 *
Five Percent Holders
Polar Asset Management Partners Inc.(4) 1,700,000 7.4 %
Security Benefit Life Insurance Company(6) 2,500,000 10.9 %
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Purchase of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants
On August 7, 2020, our Sponsor paid $25,000 in consideration for 5,750,000 founder shares, or approximately $0.004 per share, to cover certain of our offering costs in connection with the initial public offering. On October 15, 2020, our Sponsor transferred 250,000 founder shares to Ronald D. Sugar, our senior advisor, and 150,000 founder shares to each of John B. Veihmeyer, Larry R. Flynn and Gerard J. DeMuro, our then directors, resulting in our Sponsor holding 5,050,000 founder shares. In September 2021, in connection with his appointment to the board of directors, Patrick M. Shanahan was made a member of our Sponsor, pursuant to which Mr. Shanahan may be entitled to distributions of our securities held by our Sponsor following the consummation of our initial business combination. As of the date of this Form
10-K,
our Sponsor owns 5,050,000 founder shares.
On November 19, 2020, in connection with the closing of the initial public offering, our Sponsor purchased 9,650,000 private placement warrants from us at a price of $1.00 per private placement warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $9,650,000. Each private placement warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at $11.50 per share. The private placement warrants are identical to the public warrants, except that the private placement warrants, so long as they are held by our Sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) are not redeemable by us, (ii) may not (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of such private placement warrants), subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by such holders until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, (iii) may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis and (iv) will be entitled to registration rights. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.
On May 18, 2021, our Sponsor purchased 2,300,000 private placement warrants from us at a price of $1.00 per private placement warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,300,000, to extend the period of time we have to consummate our initial business combination by 6 months from the prior deadline of May 19, 2021 until November 19, 2021. On November 16, 2021, our Sponsor purchased 2,300,000 private placement warrants from us at a price of $1.00 per private placement warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,300,000, to extend the period of time we have to consummate our initial business combination by 6 months from the prior deadline of November 19, 2021 until May 19, 2022.
Administrative Services Agreement
Our executive offices at 25101 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 350, Cleveland, Ohio 44122 are provided by our Sponsor. Commencing upon the consummation of the initial public offering, we paid our Sponsor $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services provided to members of our management team. Upon completion of our initial business combination or liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
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Personal Private Air Travel Reimbursements
We have agreed to reimburse each of our independent directors and our senior advisor, for their service on the board of directors and as our advisor, for up to 10 hours of personal private air travel for an aggregate amount of up to $300,000. The flight hours may, but will not necessarily, be provided by Flexjet, LLC and/or Sentient Jet, LLC, each of which is a portfolio company of Directional Capital LLC, which is owned by Kenneth C. Ricci, our
Co-Chief Executive
Officer, and Michael A. Rossi, one of our independent directors.
PIPE Investment
Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, we entered into a subscription agreement with our Sponsor, pursuant to which our Sponsor has committed to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock for $25,000,000 at a purchase price of $10.00 per share in connection with the PIPE Investment.
The PIPE Investment will be consummated substantially concurrently with the closing of our initial business combination.
Related Party Reimbursements and Loans
Our officers and directors are entitled to reimbursement for
any out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee reviews on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our Sponsor or our officers, directors or its or their affiliates.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required on
a non-interest basis.
If we complete an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from the trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. Except as set forth above, the terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans.
Registration Rights
The holders of the founder shares, private placement warrants and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the founder shares and private placement warrants are entitled to registration rights under our existing registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the initial public offering. In connection with the closing of our initial business combination, we will enter into the amended and restated registration rights agreement, which, among other things, amends and restates the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with our initial public offering. Pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated registration rights agreement, we will be obligated to, among other things, register for resale such securities that are held by the parties thereto from time to time. Subject to certain exceptions, we will bear all registration expenses under the amended and restated registration rights agreement.
Item 14
.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The firm of WithumSmith+Brown, PC, or Withum, acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees paid to Withum for services rendered.
Audit Fees
. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm were approximately $78,280 and $74,160, respectively, for the services Withum performed in connection with our Initial Public Offering and the audit of our December 31, 2021 and 2020 financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Audit-Related Fees.
For the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, our independent registered public accounting firm did not render assurance and related services related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements.
Tax Fees
. For the year ended December 31, 2021, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm were approximately $7,725, for services in connection with the tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. For the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, our independent registered public accounting firm did not render services to us for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees
. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, there were no fees billed for products and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm other than those set forth above.
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Pre-Approval
Policy
Our audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our Initial Public Offering. As a result, the audit committee did not
pre-approve
all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will
pre-approve
all auditing services and permitted
non-audit
services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for
non-audit
services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Form
10-K:
(1) Financial Statements:
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
Balance Sheets F-3
Statements of Operations F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit F-5
Statements of Cash Flows F-6
Notes to Financial Statements F-7
(2) Financial Statement Schedules:
None.
(3) Exhibits
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Exhibit Index
ExhibitNumber Description
4.5 Description of Securities
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24 Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this report).
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 14, 2022 ZANITE ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Steven H. Rosen
Name: Steven H. Rosen
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Steven H. Rosen and, and each or any one of them, his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form
10-K,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact
and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Steven H. Rosen Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director February 14, 2022
Steven H. Rosen (principal executive officer)
/s/ Kenneth C. Ricci Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director February 14, 2022
Kenneth C. Ricci (principal financial and accounting officer)
/s/ Michael A. Rossi Chief Financial Officer and Director February 14, 2022
Michael A. Rossi
/s/ John B. Veihmeyer Director February 14, 2022
John B. Veihmeyer
/s/ Larry R. Flynn Director February 14, 2022
Larry R. Flynn
/s/ Patrick Shanahan Director February 14, 2022
Patrick Shanahan
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ZANITE ACQUISITION CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
Financial Statements:
Balance Sheets F-3
Statements of Operations F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit F-5
Statements of Cash Flows F-6
Notes to Financial Statements F-7 to F-23
F-1
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Zanite Acquisition Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Zanite Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, if the Company is unable to raise additional funds to alleviate liquidity needs as well as complete a Business Combination by the close of business on May 19, 2022, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. This date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
New York, New York
February 14, 2022
PCAOB ID Number 100
F-2
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ZANITE ACQUISITION CORP.
BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
ASSETS
Current Assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Deficit
Additional paid-in capital — —
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
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ZANITE ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Other income (expense):
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account 23,403 2,673
Transaction costs allocated to warrant issuance — (854,301 )
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class A $ 0.51 $ (1.56 )
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class B 0.51 $ (1.56 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
Table of Contents
ZANITE ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit Deficit
Balance – August 7, 2020 (inception) — $ — — $ — $ — $ — $ —
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-5
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ZANITE ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account (23,403 ) (2,673 )
Transaction costs allocated to warrant issuance — 854,301
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid — 225,400,000
Repayment of promissory note— related party — (90,093 )
Payment of offering costs — (378,000 )
Cash – Beginning of period 1,971,811 —
Non-Cash investing and financing activities:
Offering costs paid through promissory note – related party $ — $ 90,093
Accretion of Class A common stock to possible redemption $ 4,600,000 $ —
Deferred underwriting fee payable $ — $ 8,050,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-6
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NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Zanite Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on August 7, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”).
The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, as well as activities related to identifying potential acquisitions. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates
non-operating
income in the form of interest income from the proceeds invested in the Trust Account (as defined below).
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on November 16, 2020. On November 19, 2020, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 23,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 3,000,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $230,000,000, which is described in Note 3.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 9,650,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Zanite Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $9,650,000, which is described in Note 4.
Transaction costs amounted to $13,143,093, consisting of $4,600,000 of underwriting fees, $8,050,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $493,093 of other offering costs.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on November 19, 2020, an amount of $232,300,000 ($10.10 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), located in the United States and invested only in a money market fund selected by the Company meeting certain conditions of Rule
2a-7
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account). The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
The Company will provide the holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (anticipated to be $10.30 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest then in the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.
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The Company will only proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 following any related redemptions and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Certificate of Incorporation will provide that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemptions in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or
pre-business
combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.
The Company will have until May 19, 2022 to consummate a Business Combination. However, the Company may hold a stockholder vote at any time to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to modify the amount of time the Company will have to consummate a Business Combination. The Sponsor and the Company’s executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed that they will not propose any such amendment unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of permitted withdrawals), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. As used herein, “Combination Period” refers to (i) the
12-
or
18-month
period from the closing of the Initial Public Offering in which the Company must complete a Business Combination if the Sponsor has extended the period of time for the Company to consummate a Business Combination by purchasing additional Private Placement Warrants, and (ii) such other time period in which the Company must consummate a Business Combination pursuant to an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (see Note 4).
If the Company has not completed a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a
per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
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The Sponsor has agreed to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor acquires Public Shares after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the amount deposited into the Trust Account ($10.30).
In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.30 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.30 per public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to monies held in the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $475,339 in its operating bank account and a working capital deficit of approximately $4.17 million and the ability to borrow $1.5 million through the Related Party Loans (as defined in Note 5).
The Company’s liquidity needs to date have been satisfied through a payment of $25,000 from the Sponsor to cover certain expenses on behalf of the Company in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares and the proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account to provide working capital needed to identify and seek to consummate a Business Combination.
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide the Company Related Party Loans (as defined in Note 5). As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no borrowings under the Related Party Loans.
If the Company’s estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking due diligence and negotiating a Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, the Company may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial Business Combination. Moreover, the Company may need to obtain additional financing either to complete its Business Combination or because the Company has become obligated to redeem a significant number of its Public Shares upon completion of its Business Combination, in which case the Company may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. In addition, we have until May 19, 2022 (the “Liquidation Date”) to consummate a business combination. The Company will require additional funding if it is unable to close the Business Combination currently contemplated with Embraer (Note 6).
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by the Liquidation Date, then the Company may cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The uncertainty surrounding the date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management expects to close the Business Combination prior to the Liquidation Date. If the Company is unable to close the Business Combination or raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily include or be limited to, curtailing operations, suspending the pursuit of a potential transaction and reducing overhead expenses. The Company cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be available to it on commercially acceptable terms or if at all. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through the Liquidation Date if a Business Combination is not consummated. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the SEC.
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Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to
non-emerging
growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. One of the more significant accounting estimates included in these financial statements is the determination of the fair value of the warrant and forward contract derivative liabilities. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Investments Held in Trust
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the assets held in the Trust Account were substantially held in money market funds which are invested primarily in U.S. Treasury Securities.
Offering Costs
Offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting, and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs amounting to $13,143,093 were recognized, with $854,301 allocated to the Public Warrants, included in the Statement of Operations as a component of other income/(expense) and $12,288,792 included in stockholders’ equity upon completion of the Initial Public Offering. Deferred underwriting commissions are classified as a long-term liability due to their encumbrance to the Trust Account.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts presented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature, except for the warrant and the forward contract for additional warrants (see Note 10).
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Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded at fair value as of the Initial Public Offering (November 19, 2020) and
re-valued
at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the Statement of Operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified on the balance sheet as current or
non-current
based on whether or not
net-cash
settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. The Company has determined the warrants and the forward contract for additional warrants are derivatives. As the financial instruments meet the definition of a derivative, the warrants and the forward contract for additional warrants are measured at fair value at issuance and at each reporting date in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements”, with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Operations in the period of change.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company complies with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements”, for its financial assets and liabilities that arere-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and
non-financial
assets and liabilities that are
re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually. ASC 820 determines fair value to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
See Note 10 for additional information on assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption, if any, are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets.
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As discussed in Note 3, all of the 23,000,000 shares of Class A common stock sold as part of the Units in the Initial Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. Accordingly, all of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets.
Immediately upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company recognized the accretion from initial book value to redemption amount value. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional
paid-in
capital and accumulated deficit.
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of stock. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The calculation of diluted income (loss) per common share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) Initial Public Offering, and (ii) the private placement since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The warrants are exercisable to purchase 25,750,000 shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any dilutive securities or other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stocks and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted net income (loss) per common share is the same as basic net income (loss) per common share for the periods presented.
The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in dollars, except per share amounts):
Class A Class B Class A Class B
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share
Numerator:
Denominator:
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Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
The Company may be subject to potential examination by federal, state and city taxing authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal, state and city tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
2020-06,
Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic
470-20)
and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
815-40)
(“ASU
2020-06”)
to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU
2020-06
eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU
2020-06
amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the
if-converted
method for all convertible instruments. ASU
2020-06
is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU
2020-06
would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s condensed financial statements.
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 23,000,000 Units, which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional 3,000,000 Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consisted of one share of Class A common stock and
one-half
of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 8).
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All of the 23,000,000
shares of Class A common stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. In accordance with SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC
480-10-S99,
redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Given that the Class A common stock was issued with other freestanding instruments (i.e., Public Warrants), the initial carrying value of Class A common stock classified as temporary equity is the allocated proceeds based on the guidance in ASC
470-20.
The Company’s Class A common stock is subject to SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC
480-10-S99.
If it is probable that the equity instrument will become redeemable, the Company has the option to either accrete changes in the redemption value over the period from the date of issuance (or from the date that it becomes probable that the instrument will become redeemable, if later) to the earliest redemption date of the instrument or to recognize changes in the redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying amount of the instrument to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. The accretion or remeasurement is treated as a deemed dividend (i.e., a reduction to retained earnings, or in absence of retained earnings, additional
paid-in
capital). The Company elected to remeasure the Class A common stock to the redemption amount immediately upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering.
As of December 31, 2021, the Class A common stock reflected on the balance sheet is reconciled in the following table:
Less:
Proceeds allocated to public warrants (14,950,000 )
Class A common stock issuance costs (12,288,792 )
Plus:
Accretion of Class A common stock to redemption amount 34,138,792
Contingently redeemable Class A common stock $ 236,900,000
The Class A common stock subject to redemption amount includes $2,300,000 from net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and an additional $4,600,000 from Private Placement Warrants for the exercise of the two
6-month
extensions of the Company’s period to consummate an initial Business Combination.
NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 9,650,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant or $9,650,000. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50
per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 8). The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Private Placement Warrants. As the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants exceeded the purchase price, the Company recorded an expense of
$3,088,000 related to the sale of the Private Placement Warrants. This amount is reflected in the Company’s statement of operations for the period ended December 31, 2020 as part of the change in fair value of derivative liabilities expense.
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Additionally, the Company was obligated to issue an additional 2,300,000 Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, or $2,300,000, for each
6-month
extension of the Company’s period to consummate an initial Business Combination. The terms of the additional Private Placement Warrants
are